Google Street View now available on mobile Web-based Google Maps

iOS-using Ars readers wanted it and now it's here, even if it's on the Web.

Some iPhone users have mourned the loss of Google Street View in iOS Maps, and Google has heard their cries. The company has added Street View to the mobile Web-based version of Google Maps for iOS. It's not quite as integrated as the desktop version or the previous iOS Maps app, but it seems to work quite well and, naturally, doesn't require Flash.

Ars readers are probably already familiar with the backlash over Apple's decision to rebuild its Maps app using its own data culled from multiple non-Google sources. Some users have found iOS 6's Maps app to be quite useable and sufficient, but Apple CEO Tim Cook recently apologized for its error-prone dataset and promised to fix it. And while Apple ostensibly considered the 3D "Flyover" mode to be a replacement for Street View, Ars readers told us that it didn't quite replace being able to see exactly what a house or storefront looked like from the street itself.

Google has been coy about the fact that it is working on its own native Google Maps app for iOS, which should be shipping by the end of the year. In the meantime, however, we recommend that those looking for a Maps alternative consider pinning Google's Maps Web app to their homescreen. Unfortunately, before today, the Web app still didn't have the Street View feature.

That has all changed. As hinted to the New York Times and AllThingsD, the HTML5-based Google Maps Web app now has a small button with the Street View "figure" icon. Tapping it loads a separate tab in Safari with a touch-friendly version of Street View. You can swipe around to rotate the view, or tap the large arrows to move up and down the street.

For now, iOS users who prefer Google's map data, transit directions, and Street View have a viable alternative to Apple's native app. It still doesn't offer turn-by-turn directions, but several alternative iOS apps can handle that if needed. Perhaps Google will see fit to include turn-by-turn navigation in its own iOS app when it ships later this year.

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39 Reader Comments

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

It has always be on Web-based Google Maps. In fact, in a web browser the only place I have ever seen street view. I was unaware it was available anywhere else. I should add that I don't use a maps of any kind much.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

It has always be on Web-based Google Maps. In fact, in a web browser the only place I have ever seen street view. I was unaware it was available anywhere else. I should add that I don't use a maps of any kind much.

Anyone on the web up to this point has been able to go to maps.google.com and navigate via street maps. As far as "web based" goes, its has always been available.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

It has always be on Web-based Google Maps. In fact, in a web browser the only place I have ever seen street view. I was unaware it was available anywhere else.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

its always been available via the standard web interface. they have added it to their mobile web interface.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

It has always be on Web-based Google Maps. In fact, in a web browser the only place I have ever seen street view. I was unaware it was available anywhere else. I should add that I don't use a maps of any kind much.

It's been available on the Android Google Maps application for some time.

Frankly, if I were Google, I'd have left it off. If iPhone users want more functionality, they should switch to a phone that doesn't limit them.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

its always been available via the standard web interface. they have added it to their mobile web interface.

Yes, the version of Google Maps served to mobile devices did not include Street View until today. I'm certain the article makes the distinction quite clear, and unfortunately the word "mobile" apparently got taken out of the title during editing. I've added it back in for additional clarity.

Pretty funny. Looks rushed. Definitely less ready for prime time then Apples Map app. There is no way to drop a pin, so no way to get to street view without doing an address search. It is also not accessible from the directions page. The view itself is pretty distorted from the regular street view. I've also been getting some strange results where it is showing the street view for a different address then the one selected. Finally, it keeps hanging - crashing safari. I suspect this will get squared away sooner than apples problems though.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

It has always be on Web-based Google Maps. In fact, in a web browser the only place I have ever seen street view. I was unaware it was available anywhere else. I should add that I don't use a maps of any kind much.

It's been available on the Android Google Maps application for some time.

Frankly, if I were Google, I'd have left it off. If iPhone users want more functionality, they should switch to a phone that doesn't limit them.

I was always under the impression that the more users the better for Google. Isn't that why most end user services Google provides are free? Seems to me cutting out iPhone users wouldn't benefit them much. Most iPhone users aren't going to jump ship over Street View (I know some will).

A quick search shows that Safari can only go to the mobile version of the site (I'm assuming it doesn't prohibit viewing of sites that have no mobile version), while some other browsers can be set to show either version. I'm not familiar with iPhone/Safari, so it seemed odd that this was an issue.

I hope mobile versions of sites start matching resolutions of most mobile phones, but given so many desktop versions of sites are still ~800px wide it doesn't seem like many are in a hurry to make better use of the extra screen real-estate.

It's been available on the Android Google Maps application for some time.

Frankly, if I were Google, I'd have left it off. If iPhone users want more functionality, they should switch to a phone that doesn't limit them.

It's been on iOS for some time as well - it's just not in iOS 6 and Apples new Maps app. I'm afraid that Android limits you far worse than Apple phones, as far as I know you can't run iOS apps on android. And there are a lot more, better apps for the iPhone. Although, even jailbroken, it's far less Open then android.

Headline is confusing. Google Map is inherently "Web-based" and Street View debuted and continues to be in the "web version" of Google Maps (as that is "the" version of Google Maps...). Perhaps clarify to "mobile version" of Google Maps? If I'm understanding the article.

How is it confusing? It's standard parlance at this point to distinguish between web-based and app-based.

It has always be on Web-based Google Maps. In fact, in a web browser the only place I have ever seen street view. I was unaware it was available anywhere else. I should add that I don't use a maps of any kind much.

It's been available on the Android Google Maps application for some time.

Frankly, if I were Google, I'd have left it off. If iPhone users want more functionality, they should switch to a phone that doesn't limit them.

I was always under the impression that the more users the better for Google. Isn't that why most end user services Google provides are free? Seems to me cutting out iPhone users wouldn't benefit them much. Most iPhone users aren't going to jump ship over Street View (I know some will).

I know I wouldn't jump ship over street view. I've looked at street view but I have never used it. To me it's just a gimmick with little to no real value. But I have never used the maps app in iOS either. I use MotionX apps for may map needs.

Well, seeing as iOS never supported street view, it must mean that either these particular users were living in some alternative universe, or Ars has it's head up its ars.

Street View was a part of the old Maps app since iOS 3 (if not earlier). You had to have a pin dropped and selected to see the icon but it was to the left of the name of the pin, with the white on blue arrow on the opposite side.

There is no way to drop a pin, so no way to get to street view without doing an address search.

Thanks for that information.

You can drop pins but it is limited to POI. E.g. I double tapped and pins appeared on the nearest tube station in London to my tap.

Edit: also works for e.g. shop names, etc. if you are zoomed in enough to see them.

When I double tap it zooms in. I also don't get a street view icon with shop names. This maybe the general bugginess I was talking about in my original post. It may work in some places but not others. I think to match the regular app Google will have to add a way to drop pins. I'm sure they will get it sorted.

Well, seeing as iOS never supported street view, it must mean that either these particular users were living in some alternative universe, or Ars has it's head up its ars.

Street View was a part of the old Maps app since iOS 3 (if not earlier). You had to have a pin dropped and selected to see the icon but it was to the left of the name of the pin, with the white on blue arrow on the opposite side.

I stand corrected -- goes to show how much I valued this feature. And BTW, I've been using Apple maps heavily for 2 weeks now -- have yet to not find what I was looking for, or to get anything other than perfectly good routing directions. You complainers, WAKE UP! You've been screaming for YEARS about not having turn-by-turn spoken directions, and now YOU'VE GOT IT!! The only way Google was ever going to give you this, was if Apple was willing to sell your soul (ie, private info) to Google in exchange. Apple's the one watching your back, not (do-be-evil) Google.

There is no way to drop a pin, so no way to get to street view without doing an address search.

Thanks for that information.

You can drop pins but it is limited to POI. E.g. I double tapped and pins appeared on the nearest tube station in London to my tap.

Edit: also works for e.g. shop names, etc. if you are zoomed in enough to see them.

When I double tap it zooms in. I also don't get a street view icon with shop names. This maybe the general bugginess I was talking about in my original post. It may work in some places but not others. I think to match the regular app Google will have to add a way to drop pins. I'm sure they will get it sorted.

You have to double tap the dot (edit: or other icon) that marks the POI. Works in London so maybe it is location specific?

It seems to work fairly well, albeit far more slowly and clunkily on an iphone 4 than the native client in iOS 5. That may be down to Safari straining like crazy, or (more likely) my n-2 generation hardware showing its age. Still, it's legible and infinitely better than nothing.

Digressing, it's funny to see that google drove one of their street view cars around the car park at work, even to the point of driving round the back of the building to the dead end where all the dumpsters live.

Well, seeing as iOS never supported street view, it must mean that either these particular users were living in some alternative universe, or Ars has it's head up its ars.

Street View was a part of the old Maps app since iOS 3 (if not earlier). You had to have a pin dropped and selected to see the icon but it was to the left of the name of the pin, with the white on blue arrow on the opposite side.

I stand corrected -- goes to show how much I valued this feature. And BTW, I've been using Apple maps heavily for 2 weeks now -- have yet to not find what I was looking for, or to get anything other than perfectly good routing directions. You complainers, WAKE UP! You've been screaming for YEARS about not having turn-by-turn spoken directions, and now YOU'VE GOT IT!! The only way Google was ever going to give you this, was if Apple was willing to sell your soul (ie, private info) to Google in exchange. Apple's the one watching your back, not (do-be-evil) Google.

So why Tim Cook apologised for maps? Consider that not all areas and countries are the same quality as yours. Apple could have kept Google maps alongside with iOS maps as Apple still have valid contract with Google.

Well, seeing as iOS never supported street view, it must mean that either these particular users were living in some alternative universe, or Ars has its head up its ars.

Just to follow up with an example...

Take any iOS 5 device, open maps and drop a pin on a road. If street view data is available, then the banner for the pin showing the address, etc. will show a bright orange street view icon. Press that, and you'll be shown the street view for that location, with the ability to navigate along the local roads as usual (this is native, it doesn't link to a webpage). If street view isn't available, it'll be greyed out in the banner.

Hell, here are a couple of examples from my very own iphone 4 (still running iOS 5). I know street view is available here at the entrance to Ford Island off Kamehameha highway:

But I was pretty sure that Google wouldn't have been allowed on base with their street view cars (this is basically why I chose this area as an example), and the result is no street view:

The same goes for the pins that represent search results. Street view is the orange icon on the left of the banner when a red search pin is tapped.

This has been a very useful feature in iOS maps for quite some time. That's why many iDevice users are mourning its loss, and that's why google have made it available by alternative means (hopefully buying them time while they finish up a native maps client).

Edit: made the obnoxiously-large screenshots smaller. I keep forgetting how high-res modern smartphones have gotten compared with dekstop monitors...

OK there's a lot of misunderstandings being thrown around. Let's clear up a few things.

Google Street View:- Has long been in the iOS Maps app, but is gone from the iOS 6 version.- Has long been at maps.google.com in the desktop version of Google Maps in a web browser.- Has not been at maps.google.com in the iOS version of Google Maps in the Safari web browser, until today.

So before you post your reactionary insights about this, please keep in mind the differences between the "mobile app" and the desktop and mobile versions of Google Maps in a web browser. And that when the function is available in a mobile web browser, some call that a "web app," which is not the same as a standalone mobile app.

Street View was a big deal to me, but over the last year or so, I discovered that many people I know had no idea you could get Street View out of the iOS Maps app. So not everyone misses it. And it's back anyway, if only in mobile Safari.

I know I wouldn't jump ship over street view. I've looked at street view but I have never used it. To me it's just a gimmick with little to no real value. But I have never used the maps app in iOS either. I use MotionX apps for may map needs.

You've never wanted to look at a picture of where you're going?

I wonder if this is somehow related to city structure. In some modern cities I can imagine that everything is uniform and travel is easy. Or at least this is one of the reasons why I speculate that some people don't need street view. The other would that some people are not spatially oriented and don't need that kind of imagery to build a mental model of where they are going.

However, here in Pittsburgh, I personally find it immensely useful. Here are a few of the reasons that I use street view prior to going someplace I've never been before.

* Find out what a house looks like before driving to a dinner party. Addresses aren't often visible from the street.

* Check for existence of on-street parking.

* Check if lanes are wide/safe enough for biking. Or better yet, an actual bike lane.

* Find a couple landmarks so that I know when I'm getting close to a destination. Sometimes it is easier to navigate by landmarks such as "half block past the stone turret building on the right". Street signs can be hard to see as compared to prominent buildings.

* Check where a store is located in a plaza that shares a single address.

* To find the address of a restaurant i've been to but can't remember the name of.

* Hunting for a new home it really helps to be able to check out the neighborhood.

* Finally, to build a mental map of where I'm going. I can spend a few minutes with maps/street-view and come away with a 3D image in my head of the area that I'm traveling to. This really helps when you have to circle a few times or park 5 blocks from your destination.

Well, seeing as iOS never supported street view, it must mean that either these particular users were living in some alternative universe, or Ars has its head up its ars.

Obviously you have never used an iPhone, ever. The Google Map app in version 1 through 5.1.1 always featured the Street View in the app. iOS 6 removed Google Map. The mobile version of maps.google.com now adds the Street View feature.